A study revealed that having extended family is a common set up in Muslim homes. Some say, the more, the merrier. Although that might be true at times, it only works when every member of the household is living harmoniously together. On the other hand, living with the in-laws and extended families can be chaotic and difficult to manage. We are joined by Rabab Alma who is a highly skilled marriage and relationship counselor and therapist. She’s been a great help to individuals struggling with depression and anxiety in their careers, in their personal lives, and their relationships with their families. She understands how husbands and wives can sometimes drift apart when there’s a rift between a spouse and an in-law. How can families learn to establish boundaries and navigate the extended family model?

Sibling rivalry is a common struggle families face, even throughout Islamic history. Children fight. And sometimes those fights can escalate so much, parents are at a loss of what to do. Sibling rivalry is a natural part of childhood development. But learning how to navigate those cumbersome squabbles can be an enormous challenge. What causes this rivalry and what are strategies to help mitigate the struggles to avoid any type of long-term issues? We are joined by Najwa Awad, a child psychotherapist who shares strategies to help mitigate sibling rivalry, and the pressing issues on self-esteem that can develop if the rivalry is left unchecked.

The teenage years are a crucial time for kids. It’s a time for independence, curiosity, self-awareness, and conflict. Parents with teens often find themselves having to navigate this new developmental milestone -  with some rebellion. But teenagers are going through a world that can seem chaotic - daily peer struggles, college prep, and blossoming into an adult. Today, we are joined by Munira Ezzeldine to share valuable insights and strategies into raising teens.  She is a college and career counselor who helps young adults gain self-awareness to prepare for higher education and beyond.

Parenthood is a two-way game. If a child is blessed with two parents, there is a dual advantage of tapping into the blessings that each parent can bring to the upbringing of the child. Cultural barriers, language challenges, societal and environmental obstacles may pose a difficulty for fathers in creating a healthy relationship with their children. What is the role of the father? What can we pull from Islam, from prophetic lessons on building a strong fatherhood presence in the Muslim home? Our guest will take us on a journey of why fatherhood matters. We are joined by Mohammad Elshinawy, a father and a fellow in the Yaqeen Institute. He has done research specifically on the role of the Muslim father. In this episode, he shares what he discovered from his research with the hope to shed light on the importance of fatherhood in the Muslim home.

The pandemic has unleashed a world many find challenging and daunting. Isolation and the drastic change of life, routine, finances, etc have caused mental health rates to increase worldwide. Marriages are also seeing a deep impact due to the crushing pandemic. We are joined by psychologist Dr. Sarah Syed from the Khalil Center. She will share some useful strategies and best practices to better identify and manage our mental health challenges to ensure we are coping personally and within our family structure.

Dr. Abdallah Rothman, an expert in self care, discusses the importance of self care in parenthood and how Islam promotes it. They explore maximizing one's potential through self-care, nurturing the spiritual aspect in Islam, and the role of the principal at Cambridge Muslim College.

Navigate challenges of parenting with insights on sleep training, disciplining kids, Islamic school, screen time, and relationships. This podcast supports Muslim parents and promises future expert interviews.